Not all USBC rules are listed here, only exceptions and some highlights. Please make sure you're familiar with the rules on http://www.bowl.com. They apply even if they are not listed here.
While there are few official rules regarding etiquette, please be courteous to other bowlers by following these guidelines. Please remember that the secretary has to wait for you, as does the other team. You might not mind being out late, but please be considerate of other people's schedules.
It is illegal (it's also a safety issue) to do anything to alter the approach or the lane, even if you don't like it. This also applies to shoes that leave residue or marks on the approach. No talcum powder or baby powder is allowed in the bowling area. All powders MUST be applied to the bowlers fingers (the ones used inside the bowling ball only) and not directly to the ball. Powders applied to the ball can get on the approach and foul the lanes causing unstable bowling conditions. Under no circumstances should powders or rosins be applied to the approach area or bowling shoes. If you find that you consistently stick on the approach, you should consider a bowling shoe with interchangeable soles/heels, or a Teflon "sock" that slips over the sole of your bowling shoe.
THIS IS THE ONLY WARNING YOU WILL RECEIVE. ANYONE VIOLATING THIS RULE WILL CAUSE THE TEAM TO FORFEIT ALL THREE GAMES.
It is also illegal to change the surface of the ball by polishing or sanding during competition. You may polish or sand your ball prior to the start of bowling at 6:30, or after league play is finished for the night. This does not apply to approved cleaners that don't change the surface of the ball (USBC rules 12 & 18). Changing the ball surface after competition starts is grounds for forfeiting all games played with the altered ball.
It sometimes happens that a team doesn’t have a full roster (at least 4 bowlers) at the beginning of the league. Team captains should do everything in their power to avoid this scenario. When this does happen, a "vacancy score" of 150, and handicap calculated from that score, will be used. This will be allowed for 2 weeks only. After that, a blind bowler, with a 150 average, will be used for an additional 2 weeks. If a team doesn’t have a full roster 4 weeks after the league starts, the team will be barred from continuing to play in the league (This overrides parts of USBC Rule 105b).
If you cannot field a 4 person team between team members and subs, you will have to use a Blind Bowler. On the scoring computer you will put in the absent person’s name and their handicap. By using the "Blind" button you will be able to enter the average that will be used which will be the absent bowler’s average minus 10 pins. The blind bowler must be the absent bowler with the most bowled games. If there is a tie the one with the lower average must be used. If you are using a blind bowler score, please remember to use the blind bowlers full handicap, and their average MINUS 10 pins for all three games. Do not use the full average (USBC Rule 105). See legal linup for information on what constitutes a legal lineup so you don't end up forfeiting games.
As a courtesy to everyone concerned please remember that we start bowling at 6:30 sharp. In those instances when it is absolutely unavoidable to be late we use the 3rd Frame rule. If the bowler shows up before the last bowler finishes the 3rd frame, they can enter the game and "catch up." If they have not arrived by the beginning of the 4th frame you will need to bowl that person "blind" for that game. The late bowler will be permitted to bowl the remaining games (overrides USBC rule 106d).
We generally have a list of substitutes that have expressed their interest in being substitutes on the roster. If someone on your team is going to be absent and you choose to use a substitute, it will be your responsibility to get one. Subs cannot play during the Position Rounds or during the championship round. Substitutes will be required to join the USBC in order to bowl in league play. The team is still responsible for turning in fees for absent players (USBC Rule 107c).
If the team your supposed to bowl doesn’t show up, let the secretary know. After the third frame is bowled the game is considered forfeit, however in order to call the game a WIN for the team that is present, that team must come within 40 pins of their teams total average per game. This also applies to the week where you bowl against a BYE (USBC rules 109a and 110b).
Teams must have at least two bowlers from their roster bowling to have a legal lineup. If a team has less than two bowlers from their roster, they do not have a legal lineup, and will forfeit the games bowled (USBC rules 109a and 109b).
In order to Pre-bowl, you must notify the secretary and the opposing team captain for that week at least 24 hours before your team will pre-bowl. You must pre-bowl as a team. No individual pre-bowls. Call the bowling center and tell them your team needs to pre-bowl and work out a time to do so. The opposing team captain needs to be notified in case they choose to attend. Fill out the league score sheet as normal and have the attendant at the bowling alley verify the scores. Return the sheet to the secretary or the bowling center prior to the next bowling night so they can give it to the captain of the team you would have bowled against. Their scores will be entered and verified and a copy will be returned to the captain of the team that pre-bowled by the secretary. If at all possible, both teams should pre-bowl together. This is just a suggestion... it’s always more fun to bowl against another team. There will be no make-up or "post-bowling" allowed.
Out on the lanes, you represent your team, the league, and Microsoft. Unsportsmanlike conduct and/or abuse of Tech City Bowl’s equipment will not be tolerated. If there are any complaints or one of the officers observes instances of poor sportsmanship or equipment abuse you will be asked to leave and your team will forfeit the current game. Don’t let this happen to you. Let’s have fun out there.
When there are ties after the championships at the end of the season (week 31), or after a position round, a single game will be bowled immediately, and used to break the tie. If a tie still exists after the tie breaker game, 10th frame sudden death playoffs will be played until there is a winner. Season pin count will not be used to break championship or position round ties (USBC rule 113a). The only time pin count can be used to break a tie is if there are more than two teams tied (USBC rule 113b). This is highly unlikely because of the way our league championship and positions rounds are structured.